Virginia’s New Accreditation Standards: A Path Forward for English Learners with Summit K12

With Virginia’s recent changes to its accreditation and accountability systems, there’s a renewed focus on student growth, especially for English Learners (ELs). The state’s updated standards require schools to show measurable progress in English proficiency, making it essential for educators to have the right tools in place.

Summit K12’s Connect to Literacy (C2L) and WIDA-aligned English Learner programs provide a tailored solution to help districts track and accelerate EL growth. These programs offer targeted resources to ensure ELs are mastering English while progressing academically.

Why These Changes Matter

For too long, the focus on traditional testing metrics has overlooked the unique needs of English Learners. With the new accreditation system, Virginia schools are expected to demonstrate that their ELs are making significant progress toward language proficiency and academic achievement. This is about ensuring equity, providing all students—regardless of language barriers—the opportunity to succeed.

How Summit K12 Supports English Learners

Summit K12’s programs are designed specifically with the needs of ELs in mind. Our Connect to Literacy (C2L) solution aligns with WIDA ACCESS standards, the benchmarks used to assess English proficiency in Virginia and many other states. This allows educators to:

? Track Growth: C2L provides educators with real-time data to monitor student progress, ensuring that ELs are meeting and exceeding state requirements.

? Improve Language Skills: Through targeted literacy instruction, students strengthen their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and overall language skills, empowering them to succeed academically.

? Ensure Accountability: With the focus shifting toward student growth rather than just proficiency, our tools help schools meet these updated accountability standards by supporting continuous improvement for ELs.

Closing the Gap

For schools to meet these new standards, they must invest in solutions that not only help students pass tests but also support long-term mastery of the English language. As a Black man, I’ve seen how systemic changes in education can either widen the gap or close it. With the right support, we can ensure that Virginia’s new standards for English Learners lead to equitable outcomes, giving every student the tools they need to thrive.

Summit K12 is here to partner with educators and school districts to make that vision a reality.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re ready to help your English Learners excel under Virginia’s new accreditation system, connect with me today!